Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lillington as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lillington gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #155 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Lillington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Lillington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lillington, and Lillington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #155 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lillington’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lillington has more expected damage per building than 53% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Lillington: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lillington flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lillington, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $8K
Lillington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harnett County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lillington
Disasters that paid out in Lillington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lillington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence305 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$285K to the Town of Lillington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew313 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$36K to the Town of Lillington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel15 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the Town of Lillington for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Town of Lillington for repairs
Harnett County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lillington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lillington archive →Get ready for what Lillington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lillington
Is Lillington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lillington has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #155 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lillington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lillington since 2018, $8K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Lillington in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Harnett County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lillington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lillington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lillington?
By FEMA money that reached Lillington, Hurricane Florence (2018): 305 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $285K to the Town of Lillington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Lillington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Lillington’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lillington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lillington’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.